Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers will make their World Cup debuts as members of the U.S. women’s national team next month. The trio will try to help the U.S. win its fifth consecutive FIBA World Cup title. The young stars will be joined by Olympic medalists A’ja Wilson, Breanna S tewart, Napheesa Collier, Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young, Kahleah Copper and Kelsey Plum. “It’s always good when you compete for a gold medal; it’s a big honor,” said Wilson, a four-time WNBA MVP. “It’s something I don’t take lightly. Time to go there and have some fun and also win.” Rhyne Howard and Aliyah Boston will also be making their World Cup debuts to round out the team. “I’m so excited to announce the 2026 USA Basketball Women’s National Team,” USA Basketball national team managing director Sue Bird said. “This is an incredibly talented group that has earned the opportunity to compete in Berlin. Wearing a USA jersey is a privilege, and I know these 12 players will embrace that responsibility as we go after another gold medal. I can’t wait to see what this team accomplishes together.” This is the first time that USA Basketball has had a managing director choose the team. In the past, it was a committee. Kara Lawson will coach the squad. Dallas Wings head coach Jose Fernandez will serve as a scout coach on the team. Bueckers is having a career year in her second WNBA season with the Wings, averaging personal bests in points (20.1), rebounds (4.2) and assists (5.9). She also has led the Wings to a 19-12 record thus far this season, their highest win total since they won 22 games in 2023. She was named an All-Star starter for the second straight year, earning the most votes among all players. Stewart is the third player in USA Basketball history to appear in four World Cup tournaments, joining Bird, who played in five, and Diana Taurasi, who also played in four. The Americans will face China, Italy and the Czech Republic in pool play at the World Cup, which will be held from Sept. 4-13 in Berlin. The WNBA will take a nearly three-week break in its season to accommodate the event. Clark, Bueckers and Reese helped the Americans win a World Cup qualifying tournament in Puerto Rico in March. Bueckers won a gold medal with USA Basketball at the FIBA junior competitions earlier in her career. Sabrina Ionescu has been a big part of the U.S. roster the last few years, but was left off this season’s team. Bird said she called many of the players who didn’t make the team this time, including Ionescu. “I think we can all agree the hardest part, which is a problem I would never trade, is that we have so much talent,” Bird said. “The beauty of that is it means almost all players are wanting to be on this team, willing to be on this team. It is a sacrifice. It is a time commitment.” Alyssa Thomas helped the U.S. win gold at the Paris Olympics, but didn’t take part in any USA Basketball camps since. Minnesota rookie Olivia Miles also hadn’t taken part in any USA camps yet either. “Tremendous player. So much fun to watch,” Bird said of Miles, who is the front-runner for the WNBA Rookie of the Year. “It’s been amazing watching her grow in this league. … She’s played with USA basketball before. She will undoubtedly be in the mix for teams in the future.” Click here to read more on this report from our partners at The Dallas Morning News. This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser. ...read more read less